US Navy starts war games in Gulf

The US Navy has begun a series of strategic maneuvers, to most extensive in the Gulf since their original invasion of Iraq in 2003, in an effort to gain "regional stability." The US Navy has said that their actions are not meant to exert any pressure on Iran, rather to simply get a feel for their positioning. They claim that any destabilizing pressure that Iran feels is domestically based, rather than it coming from a hostile force. The exercises being carried out require more than 10,000 US personnel each, with ships making simulated attacks on enemy forces, as well as finding underwater mines and hunting enemy submarines.

In most places, these are known as war games, however the US obviously does not want to send out a message that they are the obvious aggressor here. These actions also seem to correspond with the recent capture of 15 British sailors. The US has also claimed that their actions don't impose on Iran, and that if anything Iran's political instability will do more damage in the long run (to Iran on a whole).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6499605.stm

Bush announces Latin America aid

George W. Bush has announced a program to increase funding and social aid to Latin America, in an effort to help the nearly 1 in 4 people who live in extreme poverty in this area. Money will be put into education, housing, and health care. Bush is about to embark on a trip through Latin America next week, so the announcing of this program is timely. Bush has publicly stated that the technological and social advances made in the areas in recent years have been huge, but the gap between rich and poor is ever advancing. 75 million dollars will be put forward in an initiative to help Latin Americans learn English, 385 million for housing, and additional medical assistance via military teams.

To me, an interesting aspect of this announcement is why Bush would suddenly become so interested in Latin America, and helping these impoverished regions better themselves. Not to say that the Bush administration has completely neglected the region, but in a time in which they are pumping billions of dollars into their military, they suddenly focus on a very Democratic-style move. The program itself and the incentive is exceptional, as helping those in need is something that can never be questioned, but I feel that there is something that lies beneath this move. Since the Bush administration has been under fire from Democrats, for this specific reason (neglecting Latin America) it is curious that they would unveil such a program, and perhaps this speaks to the consideration that the Bush administration has for their opposition. A number of left-wing officials have also been elected in Latin America, and perhaps Bush is trying to appease them through this program As someone who is going to this exact area later this year, I can only appreciate what the program is trying to do from a moral standpoint.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6421701.stm

McCain launches White House bid

John McCain, US Senator from Airzona has launched his bid to enter the race to become the Republican candidate for the 2008 election. McCain, a veteran of the Vietnam war lost a previous bid for his party's nomination in 2000, losing out to current president George W. Bush. McCain is known for his strong positions on the Iraq war and is an advocate for sending more troops in. Despite his strong views on the war, he has had a few very vocalized differences with the current Bush administration. If McCain is elected, he will become the eldest president of all time.

One significant drawback in McCain's run for presidency could be the skirmishes that he has had with the current Bush administration. His take on Donald Rumsfeld has already become infamous and it is not likely that this will make him popular with the very right-wing Republicans in the US at this point in time. McCain is also quite a bit older than any other presidential candidate, and will be 72 by the time he would be elected. Luckily McCain survived as a POW in Vietnam, and this could romanticize any views that voters have of him.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5006788.stm#giuliani

Al-Qaeda the 'worst threat' to US

New US intelligence chief, Michael McConnell has stated that Al-Qaeda, based largely out of Pakistan, poses the largest threat to the United States. McConell also referenced the Hezbollah, from Lebanon, as another potential threat, and Iran and North Korea in his address to a congressional panel. McConell stated that Iran and North Korea are both very questionable as they could spread WMD's, and since the Al-Qaeda is interested in obtaining WMD's, this could be a fatal equation. McConell's statements are in question in light of the recent nuclear agreement signed between the US and North Korea.

This topic seems to be intertwined in a dangerous way. The Al-Qaeda is ever growing and with networks spreading the Middle East, North Africa, and North America, they could become a very serious threat (even more so than they currently are). Should Iran or North Korea ever choose to ally closely with Al-Qaeda, there could easily be a worldwide catastrophe with the reckless abandon shown by many of their extremist members. Hopefully McConell will put significant resources into eliminating terrorism, and appropriate action will be taken against anyone affiliated with these organizations.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6401427.stm

US soldier jailed for Iraq murder

An American soldier has been jailed for the rape and murder of a 14 year old girl in Iraq, as well as the killing of her family. Sergeant Paul Cortez admitted four murders, rape, and conspiracy to rape on Thursday, February 22nd. Cortez will be eligible to receive parole in 10 years, he also received a dishonourable discharge from the US military. This type of case is one of many in which US soldiers are being charged with murder or assault on Iraqi citizens in the towns that troops are patrolling. Cortez has admitted to conspiring with three other soldiers. These soldiers are still awaiting court martials.


Obviously these types of cases are overly disheartening and disturbing to read about, however it is not surprising that they are surfacing more often these days. Due to the high casualty rate in Iraq, it is understandable why events like these occur. They are, in all likeliness, easy to get away with (Iraqi rights and freedoms are limited) and the people whom these actions are being committed on have limited access to any type of media outlet which will tell their story. Seeing stories like these is quite disturbing.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6388585.stm

Mayor signs Venezuelan oil deal

Ken Livingstone, mayor of London, England, has signed an oil deal with Venezuela, providing cheap fuel for London's public transit systems. The deal will also give price cuts on those traveling on their public transportation system. Obviously the deal appeals to the 250,000 persons in London who live off of low incomes, and the deal will cut prices in half. Livingstone has said "Those on income support will be eligible to receive half price bus and tram travel - a benefit worth at least £280-a-year." Richard Barnes, leader of the London Assembly Conservatives has attacked Livingstone's move, stating "Why does London, one of the richest capitals in the world, need to exploit a developing nation? This money would be better directed at the poor of Venezuela..." Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the Americas, so there is no shortage of oil (at this point).

While Richard Barnes' concerns are well founded, they seem to be rather brash and impetuous, but to a certain degree I agree with him. It has been stated in other articles that president Hugo Chavez approached the London mayer Livingstone with this proposal, so it is hard to say who is at fault here. Luckily there is a great positive to this story as London's poorest will now be able to save their money for other necessities, and to a certain degree could eliminate welfare in London, or at least limit tax dollars going towards welfare.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/6377867.stm

Colombian foreign minister quits

Colombia's foreign minister Maria Consuelo Araujo has quit her position after her brother was arrested on charges of links with paramilitary groups. Araujo's resignation will contribute greatly to the pressure that is currently placed on Colombia's president, Álvaro Uribe Vélez. Many of his allies have links to paramilitary groups, groups which are accused of trafficking drugs and participating in massacres. Her brother, senator Alvaro Araujo, became the highest ranking politician to be detained in the ongoing investigation of the links in Colombian politics between government officials and right-wing military groups.

It seems as though this issue will contribute greatly to Colombia's ongoing issues between the government and right-wing military groups who control much of the country's economy. The drug trade in Colombia is huge, as was noted in a previous blog of mine, and seems to be a major support mechanism in terms of the Colombian economy. I do not feel as though the resignation of Maria Araujo will contribute to political unrest in Colombia, and that her position will be replaced swiftly and seamlessly.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6376359.stm